The commercial at (@) is Unicode U+0040 in the Basic Latin (ASCII) block. It appears in email addresses (user@example.com), social mentions (@handle), and many programming notations. HTML provides the named entity @.
Remember
Character @
Unicode U+0040
Hex entity @
Decimal @
Named entity @
CSS escape \0040 (or \40)
Simplest type @ in UTF-8
All of these produce the same glyph: @. Prefer a typed @ in ordinary HTML; use @ / numeric forms when you need an explicit escape; use CSS for generated content.
One page that shows @ with hex, decimal, named entity, CSS escape, and a typed character. Use View Output or open the live editor.
Hex + Decimal + Named + CSS + Typed
Five ways to produce @ in a single document.
html
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<title>At Symbol (@) in HTML</title>
<style>
#point::after {
content: "\0040";
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<p>At symbol using Hex Code: @</p>
<p>At symbol using HTML Code: @</p>
<p>At symbol using Named Entity: @</p>
<p id="point">At symbol using CSS Entity: </p>
<p>Typed directly: @</p>
</body>
</html>
At symbol using Hex Code: @
At symbol using HTML Code: @
At symbol using Named Entity: @
At symbol using CSS Entity: @
Typed directly: @
How It Works
1. Hex:U+0040 → @ in HTML. The browser turns it into @.
2. Decimal: same code point as 64 → @. Same result as hex.
3. Named:@ is the standard HTML name for U+0040 — useful when @ is reserved in a tool.
4. CSS: use \0040 (or \40) in content (not an HTML entity). #point::after appends that @ after the paragraph text.
5. Typed @: fine in UTF-8 source and usually the simplest choice. All five lines show the same glyph.
Pitfalls & Tips
Common mistakes when working with the at symbol (@).
Prefer
Type @ when you can
In normal HTML text a literal @ is clearest. Entities are optional, not required.
Templates
Escape when @ is special
Some engines reserve @. Then use @, @, or @.
&
Not an ampersand
& is U+0026. Do not confuse it with commercial at.
CSS vs HTML
Do not mix escapes
\0040 belongs in CSS. @ / @ belong in HTML.
mailto
Keep a real address
For mailto: links, the address still needs a real @ (literal or decoded entity).
Semicolon
End references
Always finish with ; — write @, not &commat.
Compatibility
Browser Support
The at symbol (U+0040) and its entity forms (@, @, @, CSS \\0040) are supported in all mainstream browsers. It is a core ASCII character.
✓ Universal support
At Symbol (@)
Type @, or encode with named, hex, decimal, or CSS escape — same glyph everywhere encoding is supported.
100%Browser coverage
Google ChromeSupported
Yes
Microsoft EdgeSupported
Yes
Mozilla FirefoxSupported
Yes
Apple SafariSupported
Yes
OperaSupported
Yes
Internet ExplorerAll versions
Yes
U+0040 / entitiesFull support
Bottom line: Prefer a typed @ for normal text. Use @ or numeric forms when tooling requires an escape, and \\0040 only inside CSS content.
Remember
Key Takeaways
Unicode: commercial at is U+0040 (decimal 64).
HTML: type @, or use @ / @ / @.
CSS: use \0040 (or \40) inside content.
Watch out: @ ≠ & (ampersand).
One line:U+0040 → type @ / @ / @ / @ / CSS \0040.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use @ (hex), @ (decimal), @ (named), a literal @ in UTF-8, or the CSS escape \0040 (or \40) in the content property. All render @.
U+0040 (hex 40, decimal 64). Unicode names it COMMERCIAL AT. It belongs to the Basic Latin (ASCII) block.
Yes. @ maps to U+0040. Prefer a typed @ in normal text; use @ or numeric forms when you need an explicit escape.
When a template engine, email preprocessor, or tooling treats @ as special. In ordinary HTML text, a plain @ is fine and usually clearest.
HTML entities (@, @, or @) go in markup. The CSS escape \0040 (or \40) is used in stylesheets (usually in the content property of ::before/::after). Both render @.
Yes for a valid email string (user@domain). You can write it as a literal @ or encode it with @ / @ / @ — same character.
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Did you know?
The commercial at is Unicode U+0040 (decimal 64) in Basic Latin (ASCII). HTML’s named reference is @. A plain @ in UTF-8 HTML is usually fine — use entities when a template or tool treats @ as special.
